Michelle Snow reacts after being announced as 2018 inductee you Florida Sports Hall of Fame
BRIAN ACHATZ, bachatz@pnj.com

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 01: Michelle Snow #2 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the WNBA game at US Airways Center on July 1, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Photo11: Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Michelle Snow looks far beyond the fame, far beyond a future that basketball helped create for her life.

What she cherishes most is being a role model and an inspiration for the next generation.

"It is not easy ... I tell people that all the time," said Snow, 38, who is adjusting to her first year without playing basketball since she was preschool age. "I'll say, 'Don't look at me and think it was easy.'

"My dad would tell me all the time, 'You work out too much, you push yourself all the time.' And I tell him ,,, that is why I am successful. That's the point. I want to outwork everyone. Most people are not going to put in the time."

The effort has led to an incredible moment. Snow will be inducted next Wednesday into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in her hometown during a gala at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola.

The Pensacola High graduate went on to collegiate basketball stardom at the University of Tennessee while playing for legendary head coach Pat Summit, then 16 years in professional basketball, will have special company.

Two of the other inductees are Snow's peers — boxer Roy Jones Jr., who she credits with help launching her basketball career, and Justin Gatlin, who was on the track team at Tennessee when the two Pensacola natives got to know each other.

"I think it's going to be pretty emotional.... coming from the city of Pensacola, how I grew up and where I grew up to get to this moment," Snow said. "I think the feeling I have is that we are examples.

"You hear kids saying all the time, 'Oh I can't do that, or that's not possible.' 'Or they will say, 'You have that money.' I think many of us who will be honored (next Wednesday) can look them in the face and honestly tell them, none of those of things are true."

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 01: Michelle Snow #2 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the WNBA game at US Airways Center on July 1, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen, Getty Images

29 Mar 2002: Sue Bird #10 of Connecticut calls for a timeout while defended by Michelle Snow #00 of Tennessee during the NCAA Women's Final Four game at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. Connecticut won 79-56. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images Andy Lyons, Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 25: Michelle Snow #2 of the Houston Comets puts a shot up over Jennifer Gillom #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks during the game on August 25, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Sparks won 67-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 25: Michelle Snow #2 of the Houston Comets and Lisa Leslie #9 of the Los Angeles Sparks take a jumpball on August 25, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Sparks won 67-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images

Gyor, HUNGARY: National team player Michelle Snow of US scores a basket between Hungarian Krisztina Papp (R) and Bernadett Nemeth (L) in Gyor 22 March 2006 during a preparation match for the World Cup. AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) ATTILA KISBENEDEK, AFP/Getty Images

2 Apr 2000: Michelle Snow #00 of the Tennessee Volunteers puts her head in her arms after the the NCAA Women''s Finals Four Game against the Connecticut Huskies at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Huskies defeated the Volunteers 71-52. Andy Lyons, Getty Images

2 Apr 2000: Michelle Snow #00 holds her head as Tennessee lost 71-52 to Connecticut during the NCAA Women''s Final Four at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. .DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT Andy Lyons, Getty Images

31 Mar 2000: Linda Miles #40 of Rutgers is blocked by Michelle Snow #00 of Tennessee during the NCAA Women''s Final Four at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tennessee won 64-54. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/ALLSPORT Elsa, Getty Images

31 Mar 2000: Michelle Snow #00 of Tennessee tries to get through Linda Miles #40 of Rutgers during the NCAA Women''s Final Four at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/ALLSPORT Elsa, Getty Images

PHOENIX - AUGUST 26: Michelle Snow #2 of the San Antonio Silver Stars puts up a shot against the Phoenix Mercury in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 WNBA Playoffs at US Airways Center on August 26, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen, Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 01: Michelle Snow #2 of the Chicago Sky puts up a shot against the Phoenix Mercury during the WNBA game at US Airways Center on July 1, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Before she led Pensacola High to the 1997 Girls Class 6A state championship and a perfect (26-0) season, along with being named Florida Miss Basketball, the 6-foot-5 Snow forever remembers how Jones Jr. stepped into her life.

Eleven years older than Snow, Jones Jr. was already one of the world's biggest boxin stars when Snow was playing on youth all-star teams.

"This is someone. at that time, who did not know me (at all)," Snow said. "And he's one of the people who would sponsor me when I needed to get to (youth basketball) tournaments and I didn't have ways to get there.

"He always made sure I went, He always made sure I was taken care of. He would always say, 'You don't sent a woman on the road without money in her pocket.' He would always make sure I had money to eat on these trips.

"He went above and beyond."

It is why Snow gets emotional knowing she and Jones will be inducted together into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. They are the both the greatest in their respective sports in Florida history.

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Michelle Snow, a Pensacola High School graduate and two-time WNBA All-Star, smiles as she is recognized during a press conference to announce a partnership between the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and Andrews Institue at the Andrews Performance & Research Pavilion in Gulf Breeze on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. She, along with other local sports icons Justin Gatlin and Roy Jones, Jr., will be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on November 7 at the National Naval Aviation Museum on NAS Pensacola. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

PHOENIX - AUGUST 26: Michelle Snow #2 of the San Antonio Silver Stars puts up a shot against the Phoenix Mercury in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 WNBA Playoffs at US Airways Center on August 26, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen, Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 01: Michelle Snow #2 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the WNBA game at US Airways Center on July 1, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Gator wide receiver Jacob Copeland, left, poses with PHS graduate and current Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall after receiving his Under Armour All-American game jersey during a ceremony at Escambia High School in Pensacola on Thursday, October 26, 2017. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 10, 2017: Wide receiver Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns and cornerback Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers engage as they run downfield in the third quarter of a game on December 10, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Green Bay won 27-21 in overtime. (Photo by: 2017 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) Diamond Images, Diamond Images/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 04: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans catches a pass in front of Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on December 4, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay defeated Houston 21-13. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Stacy Revere, Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins fumbles the ball as he is sacked by defensive tackle Terrell McClain #97 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at FedExField on December 28, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. The Dallas Cowboys won, 44-17. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Patrick Smith, Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 11: Terrell McClain #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a tackle during the second half against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) Tom Pennington, Getty Images

Terrell McClain #97, Matthew Ioannidis #98 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskins wait in the tunnel before taking the field to play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Al Bello, Getty Images

Pensacola High graduate Terrell McClain celebrates making a tackle for the Carolina Panthers during a game against the New Orleans Saints in 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Joe Robbins, Getty Images

22 Nov 1997: Demontray Carter of the Auburn Tigers tries to carry the ball past cornerback Deshea Townsend (right) and Trevis Smith of the Alabama Crimson Tide during a game at the Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn won the game 18-17. Manda Andy Lyons, Getty Images

24 Oct 1998: Tailback Demontray Carter #1 of the Auburn Tigers in action during the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at the Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 32-17. Tom Hauck, Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 24: Adron Chambers #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with his teammates after scoring on a wild pitch by Carlos Marmol #49 of the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on September 24, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images) Jeff Curry, Getty Images

ST LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 28: Adron Chambers #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Texas Rangers 6-2 to win Game Seven of the MLB World Series at Busch Stadium on October 28, 2011 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Jamie Squire, Getty Images

CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES: Mark Whiten (L) of the Cleveland Indians is congratulated by teammate Enrique Wilson 09 October during the American League Championship series game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. Whiten had just hit a fifth inning homer off of New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte. DON EMMERT, AFP/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Alex Gordon #3 of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts to a call during his team's 83-62 loss to the Siena Saints during the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) Doug Benc, Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Alex Gordon #3 of the Vanderbilt Commodores leaves the court after his team's 83-62 loss to the Siena Saintsin the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) Doug Benc, Getty Images

Members of the first UWF men's basketball team, from the 1967-68 season, from left to right, Jody Skelton, Holt Browning, and Tommy Lee, are honored during a Gulf South Conference Tournament game at the University of West Florida Field House on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

The starting five of the 1964 PHS state title team gathered Saturday for a 50-year senior class reunion. From left are Don Slayton, Mike Leatherwood, Tommy Lee, Rob Bauer and Jody Skelton. Bill Vilona/bvilona@pnj.com

"Roy set the standard for me on how to pass that torch forward, how to give freely and pass a legacy that is bigger than yourself. He truly empowered me."

At Tennessee, Snow became only the second female player to dunk a basketball during game. She compiled four-year career stats of 10.9 points and 6.5 rebounds that led into being chosen No. 10 overall by the Houston Comets in the 2002 WNBA Draft.

She ranks eighth in league history with 403 career blocked shots. The two-time WNBA All-Star played six seasons with the Comets, then with five other WNBA teams, along with various European teams.

She retired after the 2018 season ended in the Turkish Superleague. Snow is now operating her business, GameChanger Unleashed, as well as being a motivational speaker.

Now, she will become a Hall of Famer.

"Honestly, I really get speechless every time I think about it. This is not something I would have ever fathomed growing up," she said.

Bill Vilona can be reached at bvilona@pnj.com and 850-435-8532

FLORIDA'S FINEST

The PNJ is running profiles of the 2018 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductees ahead of next Wednesday's ceremony in Pensacola